PENTECOSTALISM

1.     History and Development of the movement

a.     Beginning – John Wesely and Methodism in 1700’s

b.     In American history – Quakers, Shakers, Amish, etc.

c.     In restoration history – Barton W. Stone, Cane Ridge, KY

d.     “Over thirty thousand people poured into Cane Ridge, Kentucky, in 1801 for a great revival. Stone was preaching in that area at the time. Methodist and Baptist preachers were invited to assist in the revival. There were a number of preachers in different parts of the camp ground preaching at the same time. Emotional excitement ran through the crowd producting physical reactions of various kinds. Some fell to the ground as though dead, others experienced “jerks,” danced, laughed, ran or sang. This supposedly was a manifestation of the Holy Spirit.” (Eternal Kingdom, Maddon, page 313)

e.     Neo-Pentecostalism – 1900 – Charles Parham, Topeka, Kansas. Leaders of this movement – Amiee Semple McPherson, Jack Coe, Oral Roberts.

f.      Cults – Adventists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, and Christian Scientists
 

2.     Definition of terms

a.     Pentecostal – Events similar to those in Acts 2

b.     Tongue speaking – in the New Testament, tongue speaking was the ability to speak a language not studied or known to the speaker

c.     Holy Spirit baptism – an immersion in the power of the Holy Spirit, it was a promise to the apostles. It gave them three special powers:

                                                    i.     Ability to perform all kinds of miracles

                                                   ii.     Ability to distribute a gift to others

                                                 iii.     Revelation and inspiration from God

d.     Healing – being cured of some physical illness, defect or mental illness

e.     Miracle – the power of God entering the natural world

                                                    i.     Not – childbirth

                                                   ii.     Not – escape from greater harm in an accident

                                                 iii.     Is – God’s intervention in the natural affairs and state of man’s world
 

3.     Biblical Study

a.     Mark 16:15-20

                                                    i.     Signs shall follow

1.     The signs – cast out devils, new languages, serpents, drink poison, heal the sick

2.     Who will work these signs? Third person – “them that believe.” Not each believer. Signs will exist where there are believers.

                                                   ii.     Confirm the word

1.     This states the purpose of these signs

2.     See also Hebrews 2:1-4

b.     Acts 2:1-13

                                                    i.     Four questions to examine

1.     Who spoke in tongues?

a.     Not the 120

b.     It was the 12 apostles

2.     What was the nature of tongues?

a.     A language not learned by the speaker

b.     Acts 2:6-8, 11

3.     How was this power received?

a.     Clothed (endued) with power – Luke 24:49

b.     Baptism in power – Acts 1:4-8

4.     What was the purpose of tongues here?

a.     Confirmation of the word – Mark 16:20

b.     Edification – 1 Corinthians 14:26

c.     Sign to unbelievers – 1 Corinthians 14:22

c.     Acts 10:44-48

                                                    i.     “Like gift” same manifestation – tongues

                                                   ii.     “As it fell on us” – Arrived in the same manner

                                                 iii.     Cornelius spoke in tongues before his baptism

                                                 iv.     Purpose – to convince Jews that the gospel was for all nations

d.     1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14

                                                    i.     Brief outline

1.     Chapter 12

a.     List of gifts

b.     Which are most important?

c.     The church is a body. It needs all parts.

2.     Chapter 13 Love is the greater gift because:

a.     Gift minus love = nothing

b.     Love last forever

c.     Gifts will cease, they are temporary

3.     Chapter 14

a.     Instructions on the use and attitudes toward tongue speaking in church assemblies

b.     Instructions on the use and attitudes toward prophecy in the church assemblies

                                                   ii.     Detailed outline

1.     Unity of the Spirit – 12:1-4

2.     List of spiritual gifts – 12:5-11

3.     The order of the church – 12:12-27

4.     Church as a body – 12:28-31

5.     Gifts minus love = nothing – 13:1-3

6.     Love defined – 13:4-8a

7.     Love contrasted – 13:8b-13

8.     Proof that these miracles have ceased

a.     Purpose is gone – Word now confirmed

b.     Method of reception ended

c.     Perfect – complete, mature, full grown

9.     Compare tongues to prophecy – 14:1-12

10. The unlearned ones – 14:13-17

11. Paul’s ability – 14:18-21

12. Purpose of tongues – 14:22

13. In the church – 14:23-26

14. Rules for tongues – 14:27-28

15. Rules for prophecy – 14:29-35

16. Conclusion – 14:36-40
 

4.     Some conclusions about tongue speaking

a.     In the New Testament, tongues were the ability to speak a language not studied or known to the speaker.

b.     The gift was received by the apostles in Holy Spirit baptism and all others through the laying on of an apostle’s hands.

c.     The purpose was to confirm the new revelation.

d.     Today tongues are a psychological phenomena both is and outside a religious context.

e.     The present practice has no support from the New Testament.

f.      The consequence is a denial of Jesus’ authority.

g.     It is not a sign of divine favor, but self-centeredness, pride, doubt and immaturity.

h.     Tongues are associated with fakes.

HEALING: FAITH OR FAKE?

1.     The Biblical issue involved

a.     Issue is NOT

                                                    i.     Yesterday, in the Bible

                                                   ii.     God’s power, ability

                                                 iii.     Prayer for the sick

                                                 iv.     Matter of divine healing

                                                  v.     God’s active work in our world and lives

                                                 vi.     Providence in our lives

b.     Issue IS: Does God continue to work through men?
 

2.     Duration of miracles

a.     See points about tongues above

b.     Purpose is now gone. The Word is confirmed.

c.     Need is gone. Church is established, Bible confirmed.

d.     Method of reception is gone. No apostles remain alive.
 

3.     Purpose of miracles

a.     Provisional – creation, virgin birth, resurrection

b.     Confirmation – Mark 16:20; Hebrews 2:2-4; John 20:30-31

c.     NOT Accommodation – 1 Timothy 5:20; Philippians 2:27-30

d.     NOT Sympathy – The miracles of Jesus were “credential signs” not acts of mercy. Those he raised from the dead had to die again. Those he healed have long since gone the way of all flesh.

e.     Punishment – Some miracles did harm – Acts 5:1-10; Acts 13:9-11
 

4.     Healing: Then and Now

5.     Some questions to clarify the matter

a.     Will you drink deadly poison?

b.     Can you strike unbelievers blind?

c.     Can you strike people dead?

d.     Is the Bible a complete revelation?

e.     Do Christian Scientists and Mormons heal?

f.      Is God working through these groups?

g.     Are you an apostle?

h.     Do you believe I can pray for the sick and god will heal them?